560 CFOS

Community Hub in Owen Sound

The former Sydenham School could become a Skills Training Centre, Trades, and Innovation Centre

Can't play this file? Click here to download/listen -

The former Sydenham School in Owen Sound could have a new lease on life.

Grey County Manager of Economic Development Savanna Myers says both school boards, Georgian College, The City of Owen Sound, and the County have partnered together to look at the potential for a Regional Skills Training Centre, Trades, and Innovation Centre in the vacant building.

Myers says they will submit an application under the surplus property transition initiative to the Ministry of Infrastructure by Monday (October 16th).

The initiative is a government program that helps organizations and groups hold publicly owned properties, such as schools, hospitals or other buildings that are no longer in use or have been deemed surplus, for up to 18 months.

She adds, the application gives them the time to determine what feasibility is before it is declared surplus.

Myers says they are looking at expanding opportunities for Georgian College programs, possibly new programs to the college ,youth services, and child care for the building.

She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they have talked to 67 different stakeholders in the community about the project over the past few months.

The building has been vacant since June when students moved into the former OSCVI school along with students from Bayview.

Myers notes it is encouraging to know stakeholders are already interested in the building.